Introducing Buzzwire(TM): Experience Your Personalized World of Streaming Internet Content on Your Mobile Phone |
New Venture Backed by Matrix Partners and Spark Capital Streams into Mobile
Media Market with Beta Preview at http://www.buzzwire.com
BOSTON and DENVER, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Buzzwire, Inc. (formerly 4th
Media) announced today a beta preview of its streaming mobile media
service, which lets users create their own customized program lineup and
access it on their mobile phones anytime, anywhere. With audio and video
feeds targeted to meet the widest range of interests from local, national,
and international news, traffic, weather, sports, entertainment, finance
and more, Buzzwire lets users easily create a personalized world of
streaming content on their mobile phones.
With Buzzwire, consumers can find and personalize content from an
extensive audio and video library, including live Internet radio streams.
Additionally, users can add feeds found on the Internet, create playlists
and share them with friends. Buzzwire is backed by Matrix Partners and
Spark Capital and is emerging from stealth mode after having established
the technology foundation to deliver this unique service. During the beta
preview, Buzzwire will be available directly to consumers. A formal launch
with select wireless carriers is scheduled for fall 2007.
"Consumers are living mobile lifestyles and should have their media
readily accessible on-the-go, whenever they want it. There is an amazing
world of audio and video content available on the Web, and consumers can't
make sense of how to get it while mobile," said Andrew MacFarlane, CEO of
Buzzwire. "Now Buzzwire will provide a place where consumers can find, add
and share audio and video feeds, including their own - with instant,
hassle-free access on their mobile phones."
Buzzwire lets users create custom playlists via a simple Web and mobile
interface that does not require a client download. Buzzwire's initial
library includes almost 5,000 media sources encompassing national content,
as well as content from local communities so users can get the information
most important to them. A small sampling of options includes:
* More than 2,000 audio clips with daily news, sports scores, cooking
tips, and health advice for people and even pets.
* Almost 1,000 videos offering weather, behind-the-scenes clips from
popular TV shows, Sunday morning politics shows and the funniest viral
videos.
* Over 1,700 live radio stations from 100+ countries with news from Maine
to California, the first independent Iraqi radio station, Japan's best
music mix, and even the Fort Myers, FL police scanner.
* Popular playlists from Buzzwire members that include an assortment of
audio and video clips.
By giving users the ability to add content feeds on their own, the
library is constantly growing to meet a variety of user needs and
interests.
"We are very excited about Buzzwire," said Stan Reiss, general partner
with Matrix Partners. "We invested in Buzzwire in large part due to the
management team they assembled, which through its success at Software.com
and Openwave has proven itself as a pioneer in Internet and mobile
services, with a deep background of working with carriers. That team is
complemented with proven expertise in both traditional and online consumer
marketing. We think it is the right recipe for success in this rapidly
evolving market."
Added Bijan Sabet, general partner at Spark Capital, "We expect the
demand for mobile content will skyrocket, particularly as users are given
the ability to access the wealth of content available on the Internet in a
way that makes sense on a mobile device. Buzzwire seamlessly bridges the
gap between the Web and the mobile phone and puts the user in charge of
defining his or her own experience."
How it Works
Anyone can sign up for a free account online at http://www.buzzwire.com or by
going directly to http://m.buzzwire.com on a mobile phone's Internet
browser. Once signed in, users can find their favorite media and access it
on their phones. Buzzwire works on most 3G phones (including popular phones
such as the Motorola Razr, Samsung Sync and recent versions of the Palm
Treo) and for a limited time is available directly to consumers. Starting
this fall, following the beta preview, Buzzwire will be available through
select wireless carriers.
Try it at http://www.buzzwire.com. Discover, create and share anytime.
Experience anywhere.
SOURCE Buzzwire, Inc.
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